staying periodically correct

If it’s not a reproduction of a specific item or style, don’t worry about it. Go for it!

I am periodically correct. All of other times, I’m wrong!

-- - Please help keep Lumberjocks an enjoyable escape by refusing to participate in political discussions. Simply spit out the bait and ignore the thread...

well I am not sure I feel qualified to respond here…since I see a major success as a straight rip on the table saw (well maybe I am short selling myself…

But, I think you have to start with PURPOSE…what is the Purpose of the piece. If you are trying to build a period piece for the PURPOSE of using materials, techniques and style then you would want to stick to the period in as many ways as possible. I could see this being important as a personal challenge or a piece for a customer that asks this.

But…if the purpose is to build a piece for a customer and they want changes—-go for it…why do we HAVE TO follow any rules—-as long as we are honest in the explanation of the piece that its a period piece EXCEPT for the following…

Just have fun…

-- Matt, Napa, CA...fun is beautiful...just trying to have some fun...

One of the things to pay attention to is thickness… because
3/4” stock only came into usage with the advent of mass-market
plywood. Old furniture usually goes 5/8” or 7/8” and these two
dimensions have very different “visual weight” – and they make
your stuff look lighter or more substantial and definitely different
that what we mostly see today.

-- Would you like to recession-proof your present business using the internet? - my revealing 9-page free report gives you the straight facts: http://copymatch.com/rec/cap.html

I would meet the customers specs. as they requested. Luckily for me almost everything I’ve built for myself or job work has allowed me the flexibility to deviate in various amounts from a pre-printed plan. Communication with the customer is crucial for their or your own satisfaction.

-- Ciao, gth.

I lean towards pushing technology forward. Who knows, maybe in 100 years, people will be refering to work that was created in the TWW style. lol.

If the client isn’t demanding that the piece be periodically correct, you could inquire if they would like you to incorporate more modern techniques that you feel would benefit the piece and explain why. Sometimes the client has little educatiion as to how or why a piece is made and they would appreciate the enlightenment of your skills and knowledge. This interactive input on your design and fabrication will give them even more reason to cherish the piece they are asking to have made. They will get a custom piece made with first hand knowledge from the artist.

My clients are always astounded as to how much information I inquire about the needs of the user for a cane. They have never had the opportunity to have any input in a piece and didn’t know there were such options to be had. I have done this in my jewelry and other handmade objects and the client is always pleased that something custom made is so personal.

-- "They who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night." ~ Edgar Allan Poe

In my opinion, and it’s just an opinion and doesn’t really even matter, there are different types of woodworkers. A true “artist”. This person can close his eyes, vision something, then create it. It will be different then anything and usually a “one of” piece. Then you have a “copycat artist”. This person will see a work, such as a Krenov piece, and then shift things around a little to make it his own. But the concept originated from something that has been done. Finally the copycat. This person will copy, or reproduce if you will, a piece that has already been done. These people typically copy antique pieces, trying to follow the same techniques that the craftsman used at those times, but with modern technology in most cases. So you need to think about where you fit into here. Do you want to copy that piece? Do you want to use the basic concept but add marquetry or change it’s diminsions? Or do you want to think about how you can design your own desk and forget about that one altogether? In the end it will be the users happiness that is important, not the “fad” that everyone else tends to follow.

-- ~ Inspiring those who inspire me ~

Dennis- if it’s not meant to be a 1900 replica piece… or part of a 1900 collection – it really doesnt matter, and on the contrary – if you can take a piece that is modeled after a 1900 style, but implement changes to it that makes it a better piece in general – than that would only make it more ‘correct’ as a final piece with a certain purpose!

go for it!

-- When in doubt - There is no doubt - Go the safer route.

I back Loren’s comment.

I am also for adding modern technology and techniques. If you want to be historically correct you would not be able to use modern wood glue and would have to stick to hide glue. Of course some high-end furniture makers do this anyway.

I think that a lot of furniture manufacturers would have used modern day techniques and technology if it had been available. They were about making money too.

If you make it with the elements of the original most clients don’t know or don’t care. The public in general is pretty uneducated when it comes to furniture. That is why they buy furniture that looks like Arts & Crafts but is Parts of Crap.

-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com

If it was built in a factory I dont thick it matter.

-- CJIII Future cabinetmaker

This stuff really never even mattered to me. It is all about “my” vision. If I envision a better way of doing things, a minor change that I think looks better then I am going to do it! Because it is “my” project!

From Frank Lloyd Wright: “Early in life I had to choose between honest arrogance and hypocritical humility. I chose the former and have seen no reason to change.”

Someone brought up the fact that woods have changed since older times; you can’t get the same thing in wood that you did in the past. As an electronic engineer this is fact of life: 3 year old designs are ancient. It is the same in woodworking; you gotta make do with what is available now, not what was available 100 years ago. I have adapted designs to make what was available now work with older designs: quick example: bookcases – I have used 3/4” plywood shelves and made custom molded edge trims that are wider to make them look “periodic”.

Now, whether or not that sells, that is an entirely different subject. It is a hobby for me so I don’t please anyone but myself.

-- "Find out what you cannot do and then go do it!"

If this is for you, who cares. Build what you want and you think looks good.

If it’s for a client, build what they want.

To me, it’s kind of a no brainer. ;)

-- "Give me your poor tools, your tired steel, your huddled masses of rust." Yep, I ripped off the Statue of Liberty. That's how I roll!

Hi Denis;

I believe there are two very important things to bear in mind, and in this order.

First is your desire to satisfy your expectations of yourself. Meaning if it doesn’t please you, don’t do it. Follows that saying; “to thy own self, be true”.

Second, would be the desire of your client. They’re paying for it, so they’re entitled to get what they want.

If those two conditions are met, whatever you build is correct.

That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it!

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

i think i like yours Lee!

that pretty much settles it. I’m going to build this little desk. i like it and i think that some other people will too. because i am going to try and sell it. its a very nice desk though and i think it should do well.